Description:

Early 20th C. Czech Scholar Decries "Literary Thief" Who Stole His Work

A 2pp autograph letter signed by Leon Zelenka Lerando (1877 - ca. 1954), the early twentieth-century Czech studies expert, as "L.Z. Lerando" on the second page. (Lerando's first name and surname appear as Leon or Lev; Zelenka, Zelenky, Zelenky-Lerando, Larando, Lerande, etc.) January 28, 1931. N.p. On cream paper showing expected wear including flattened paper folds. Isolated minor ink erosion affecting approximately five words found along paper folds. Minor even toning and scattered ink bleed-through mostly affecting the second page. Else very good. 6" x 8.5."

Leon Zelenka Lerando (also known as Lev Zelenka) was a Czech scholar and college professor who taught Czech studies at Ohio State University and at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Born in Prague, Lerando was granted a Harrison Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Lerando was also involved in the short-lived Slavophile organization, the Society of the Advancement of Slavonic Studies, ca. 1919.

The concept of Slavic studies was relatively new; many of America's most preeminent universities had only developed specific Slavic Departments as recently as the 1890s-1910s, and even into the 1920s it was viewed as a less important or legitimate area of academic study. Lerando was interested in how immigrants integrated into American society. This was especially relevant since there were large populations of Czech, Slovak, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian immigrants who had historically emigrated to the mid-western United States.

Lerando wrote one Dr. Ames, in full:

"Jan 28. 1931.

My dear Dear Dr. Ames: --

After many and many many delays and many more attempts I am sending, at last, a copy of my 'First Naturalization in America.' It was published in a Czech-American weekly to be assured of copyright and to prevent another person claiming made the discoveries which I did myself. Yet it did not help at all -- at least -- in certain circles. Yet it was I who discovered the most important documents and no one can deny that, even if a literary thief (of New York) would like to cover himself with that glory.

I am only too sorry that the printers did not have italics and used bold type instead.

Very sincerely yours -- as always --

L.Z. Lerando."

Lerando did indeed publish a "History of the First Naturalization in America." Its publication was announced in the March 23, 1923 issue of the "Pennsylvania Gazette," noting that Dr. Leon Zelenka Lerando was a specialist in that area of study, and had dedicated the work to President Warren G. Harding. Lerando did indeed copyright his work under the abbreviated title "First Naturalization in America," in 1929. Yet despite his best efforts to protect his scholarship, Lerando's work was stolen by an unnamed "literary thief" from New York.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

January 10, 2024 10:30 AM EST
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000